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How do YOU rate this book? Lily Henderson's greatest passion is knowledge. Christopher Farnsworth thrives on order and decorum. A simple dinner party and a bowl of potato soup are ruined when Lily's penchant for suffragette rallies and Christopher's military ideas of prim and proper meet and clash.
The two soon find themselves agreeing to a wager and love is the intended outcome. The premise? A suitable match by Easter. If he loses, he'll attend Easter church services dressed in one of his aunt's outrageously colored and beaded gowns. If she loses, she'll ride, Lady Godiva-style, around the heart of Indianapolis.
The problem is neither Christopher nor Lily can find matches that measure up to themselves. Romantic sabotage is the order of the day. The original wager is forgotten and the only thing the pair gamble with is their hearts.
EXCERPT
"Interesting choice of consequence you picked." He shot a glance to her, fascinated that the blush still covered her cheeks. "Won't you be uncomfortable appearing in public without clothing? To say nothing of the attempt to ride in that state."
"I don't expect to lose." She bristled. "And what should I be uncomfortable or embarrassed about? There's nothing wrong with my body, except it might be a bit rounder than the current fashion, but the horse thing will be a problem. It might chafe a bit." She creased the fabric of her skirt in her fingers. "And I don't know how to ride. I spoke in the heat of the moment."
"Ah, then literary romanticism got the better of you." His chest tightened when she nodded. A faint smile curved her pink lips. His eyes roamed over the curve of her breast. He shifted to ease the tightening in his nether regions. Christopher fought to hold onto his initial dislike of her, but he admitted to himself he wouldn't mind seeing her curves bared. He swallowed -- hard. "Then my best advice to you would be not to lose the wager."
"I don't intend to."
"I didn't think so." He rolled his neck around to alleviate some of the strain. He desperately needed to change the subject before his mind could dwell any longer on Lily Henderson's body. "Sorry to force your hand last night. I sometimes forget I don't always know what's best for people."
She waved a pale hand in dismissal. "If it wasn't you, it would have been someone else. It's the stylish thing to do, you know. Find Lily a husband. It'll be all the rage through Europe before too long." She glanced out the window and sighed. "I sometimes wish I were a different person. I know my parents are frustrated with whom I turned out to be, but I can't help who I am."
Christopher hid his surprise at her admission. He thought she possessed an unshakeable wall of confidence. Didn't her choice of consequence show that? "And who would you be, a girl like Patience? That hardly seems worthwhile." He leaned back against the beam, puzzled at the almost embarrassed expression on her face.
Lily shrugged. "Someone who isn't a constant disappointment to everyone I meet."
He gazed at her, wondering what percolated behind her mask of intelligence and aloof, cold courage. Why did she feel the need to hide her real self? For that matter, what was her real persona? And why did he care to unearth it? "I'm sure you don't disappoint everyone."
Her laugh was forced and stilted. "You'd be surprised."
"This is a story that made me laugh out loud... If you want a historical romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this is the one for you. Sandra Sookoo brings romance to life with her bold characters and great story lines. This is a sweet story that is worth reading over and over."
"Winner Takes All is a seriously funny read...I have never read any of Ms. Sookoo's work before but just reading Winner Takes All, I would consider any of her work an automatic add... I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in an engaging humorous read."
"Part of the joy of reading this story are the many minor surprises -¿ and realizing that not only do things Not go as Lily expects, but also not as the reader expects. I¿ll give none of it away -- you'll have to read Winner Takes All...Sookoo¿s delicate humor threads throughout this delightful romance. Pick up a copy of your own. You won't be disappointed."
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Ms. Sookoo. It was the first of hers I have read, and I was delighted by the way she came head on to some of the social reforms of the time... I connected very quickly with the main characters. I started out not really liking Lily¿s mother, but when push came to shove Mrs. Henderson showed her love for her oldest daughter and that she really only wanted her happy and cared for, and held Lily when she needed it. I give Winner Takes All a firm 4 wings for the joy it is to read."
"Winner Takes All is absolutely the most charming and pleasantly amusing story by far...The increasing passion between Lily and Christopher is emotionally intense and the overall story has plenty of humor. Sandra Sookoo has composed a magnificent and breathtaking love story of two, very intelligent and strong willed individuals, who would not have given love a chance if ate did not lend a hand. Winner Takes All by Sandra Sookoo will certainly be recommended to any reader who is passionate about historical romance genre"
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